Sixers Attendance, Ratings on the Rise

Philadelphia 76ers co-Owner and Chief Executive Officer Adam Aron announced that as of yesterday the team recorded three consecutive weeks in each of which over $1 million dollars of Sixers tickets were sold, generating $3.5 million in ticket sales for home games this season. As a result, the 76ers are now on a pace for ticket sales for the 33-home game 2011-12 regular season to exceed ticket sales for the 41-home game regular season last year.

Under the new ownership group led by Managing Owner Joshua Harris, Co-Managing Owner David Blitzer and Aron, the Philadelphia 76ers have already sold more tickets so far for the 33 home games of the 2011-2012 season than were sold all of last year for a comparable number of games.  The difference of course is that while last year ticket sales figures were those as reported at season-end, the Sixers still have three more months in which to continue selling tickets for this season. Indeed, the Sixers report that sales for the remaining 23 regular season home games this year are still selling at a blistering pace, selling an average of more than 4,000 tickets each and every day.

Another metric of heightened fan interest in the 76ers this year is the huge increase in year-over-year television ratings of broadcast Sixers games.  Season-to-date overall TV ratings are a 2.5, up from an average of 1.6 for games last season. Ratings for the Sixers most recent game on Wednesday January 25 against the New Jersey Nets were stronger still, at 3.2 versus the 1.6 average for last year’s games.

Looking ahead to the ten home games now through February 29, the 76ers are expecting brisk crowds each game. Great opponents including the Magic, Bulls, Heat, Lakers, Spurs, Clippers, Mavericks and Thunder all will be coming to the Wells Fargo Center in the next several weeks to take on the Sixers, who are currently in first place in the Atlantic Division with a 12-6 record, and an 8-2 record at home. This is the 76ers best start to a season since 2002-2003.

“Philadelphia is buzzing about this exciting, hard-working, never-say-die Sixers team this season, and that is a key reason Sixers ticket sales are roaring hot,” said Aron. “Just as Josh Harris and I pledged at our opening press conference a little more than ninety days ago, the entire new ownership group of the 76ers is committed to giving Philadelphia exciting and winning basketball, as well as an electric atmosphere at the Wells Fargo Center on game nights, all while we engage and listen to our fans. We are delivering on these promises, and Philadelphia sports fans are responding.”

Aron continued, “When we acquired the Sixers, we were well aware that the 76ers had attendance issues in prior years, which continued with some of the early season games this year in January.  We knew that we would have to work hard and smartly to rekindle the love affair that could and should exist between Philadelphia sports fans and their 76ers team. We have been running 100 mph 24/7, and are excited to see fans responding in turn, by buying tickets and coming out in person to cheer on their Sixers to victory. Needless to say, we are truly encouraged that the 76ers are becoming the talk of the town again, and that is certainly being manifested in a resurgence of ticket sales for Sixers home games in February, March and April.”

Aron concluded, “While, February games will be highly attended, good tickets remain for each game. As we look ahead and the season moves forward, it definitely appears that a ticket to a Sixers game is going to be a hot ticket. We encourage our fans to buy tickets to 76ers games now, so they don’t miss out.”

In addition to fans getting to root for the Atlantic Division first place 12-6 Philadelphia 76ers in person, they will also be able to enjoy new in-game elements unveiled this season and featured at every home game which include:

• Anthem singer and American Idol finalist Ayla Brown opening the game with the “Star Spangled Banner,” accompanied by an instrumental recording from the Philadelphia Orchestra.
• New theatrical style lighting design for entertainment portions including the player introductions and Dream Team performances, created by Tony award-winning duo Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer of Third Eye.
• Opening and half-time videos produced and designed by Iron Claw, a production company whose portfolio includes projects for NBC Sports, Nike, DirecTV, Coca-Cola and Burger King.
• Several performances by the Sixers Dream Team (dancers), presented by Cricket, and Flight Squad (dunkers) in brand-new uniforms and theatrical lighting.
• Halftime entertainment from performers sure to amuse Sixers fans, including anthem singer Ayla Brown and her band in full concert, Red Panda, Quick Change, the Bucket Boys and Drums of Thunder.
• Sixers Legends video highlights of some of the greatest moments in the 76ers careers of some of the Sixers greatest players.
• A celebration after each home win, including a ringing Liberty Bell, an interview with the Sixers star of the game broadcast in the arena and an eruption of confetti throughout the Wells Fargo Center.